Okay, here we go:
We begin with quite a mess. Covenant lies dying, the result of yet another attack by a Raver, and unreachable due to a protective cocoon formed from his own white gold. Linden blames herself for the situation, because she tried to ‘possess’ Thomas in order to heal him. Now, the possession itself is interesting. Was Linden truly trying to do anything more than help Thomas? If so, was she tempted by the power of the white gold, corrupted by the touch of venom, or does she distrust herself so much that she cannot accept the possibility of her own innocence? Whatever it is, she blames herself for the situation.
Pitchwife tries to bring Linden out of he depression; tries to get her to focus on Covenant:
After some discussion, the Giants decide the only way to reach Covenant is to get Starfare’s Gem moving again towards the One Tree. This seems ridiculous to Linden; how can you move a ship with no wind? The preparations to move Starfare’s Gem were even more baffling to Linden. Confused, Linden keeps watch on Thomas, in case something changes.”He lives yet, Chosen. He lives. And while he lives, there must be hope. Fix your mind upon that. While we live, it is the meaning of our lives to hope.”
The next morning Linden finds most of the Giants have gone to the prow (front) of the ship. Torn between her curiosity and the need to watch Covenant, she finally decides to check Sevinhand’s broken arm. After she sees it has been properly set and is healing, Sevinhand explains what the Giants are planning:
Linden agrees, and leaves Cail to watch over Covenant. She goes to the prow, and Pitchwife explains what the calling of Nicor is all about. Apparently, it can be quite dangerous, and he shares that he has seen the process take the life of the caller. Pitchwife also tells Linden about what the Elohim believe to be the origins of the Nicor. According to the Elohim, the Nicor are the children of the Worm of the World’s End. Of course, Linden understands little of this, except for a glimmering of the danger involved. Linden watches intently as Galewrath attempts the summoning.”Heft Galewrath will attempt a calling of Nicor. That is perilous.” The flinch in his eyes showed that he was personally acquainted with the danger. “Mayhap there will be sore and instant need for a healer. It is Galewrath who ends the healing of Starfare’s Gem-yet the gravest peril will befall her. Will you not offer your aid?”
The calling of Nicor is a strange process; first, a large rope is tied to a large iron ring. Using two small boats, three Giants take the ring out into the water, and when Galewrath is satisfied with her position, she pulls out a drumhead, places it in the water, and starts beating it in ‘an intricate, cross-grained rhythm’.
When the Nicor appears, Linden suddenly fears it will ram Starfare’s Gem. Worrying about Thomas’ safety; she crosses the deck it time to fall into Cail’s arms as the massive wave caused by the Nicor hits Starfare’s Gem.
After a few anxious moments, Galewrath and her helpers return to the ship, having succeeded at looping the snout of the Nicor. Now the Giants begin to stop the cable that is unreeling. Slowly, they stop the cable, and the Giantship is moving as fast as the Nicor can pull it.Gripping Cail for balance as the Giantship resettled itself, Linden threw a glance downward and saw the colossal length of the Nicor still passing the keel. The creature was several times as long as Starfare’s Gem.
Now, the Giant’s biggest concern is if the Nicor decides to sound; if they are caught unprepared, Starfare’s Gem could be sunk by the beast. After a while, the Nicor decides to break free. As the Giants try to put out more cable, one Giant is a second too slow and is smashed into the prow. As the Giants regain their lost line, Linden uses her health sense to see how badly the Giant is injured.
Just as Linden starts to heal the Giant, Cail informs her that Covenant is stirring. She can sense that if Thomas is to be saved, it is now; unfortunately, the Giant cannot live long enough to wait for her to take care of Covenant.She saw his shattered bones as if they were limned in light, felt his shredded tissues and internal bleeding as though the damage were incused on her own flesh. He was severely mangled. But he was still alive. His heart still limped; air still gurgled wetly from his pierced lungs. Perhaps he could be saved.
Linden gets Galewrath to apply pressure to the worst places on the broken Giant, and goes to help Covenant.She could not endure it. Intolerable that either of them should be lost!
Deliberately putting herself in the line of fire should Covenant use his white gold, Linden uses her percipience to appeal to him. In his mind she shouts “Covenant! Don’t!”With a wrench of nausea, she felt white fire collecting in Covenant’s right side. Gathering against the venom. In his delirium, blind instinct guided him to direct the power inward, at himself, as if he could eradicate the poison by fire. As if such a blast would not also tear his life to shreds.
Covenant hears her and disperses the white gold blast, harming no one. Now that his protective caul is gone, Linden tells Cail and Brinn to give Covenant diamondraught, and lots of it.
Linden gathers her strength, and returns to the injured Giant. She uses her abilities to stabilize him, and he smiles to her as he regains consciousness. Exhausted, Linden returns to watch over Covenant once more.
By dusk, the Starfare’s Gem has passed out of the calm zone, and the First cuts loose the line binding them to the Nicor.
* 
Ay yi--I better let someone else respond before I turn into a babbling puddle of water! 
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It was 
